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CIX Interfaith Resources
Cal Poly is dedicated to cultivating a welcoming campus culture that reflects our values of inclusion, equity, and belonging. In line with this commitment, we encourage the university community to observe religious holidays in accordance with their individual faith, beliefs and religious practices. We ask all campus members to be mindful of religious holidays and observances when planning for the academic year and remind everyone that reasonable accommodations must be provided for students and employees, as outlined in the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy and Title IX.
We recognize that religion and spirituality are important aspects of identity and expression for many members of the Cal Poly community. Beliefs and practices may vary from person to person, even among individuals who share the same faith or religious tradition. We encourage community members to approach conversations with curiosity, foster an environment where individuals feel supported in observing their faith and religious holidays, and be mindful of assumptions made based on generalizations or previous experiences with people of a particular faith tradition. Creating an environment where all students, staff, and faculty feel free to practice or express their religious, spiritual, faith-based, or nonreligious beliefs and identities helps foster a more welcoming and inclusive university community.
Interfaith Calendar
The following calendar offers a list of religious holidays observed by various faith traditions, though it is not comprehensive. If an important holiday or observance is not currently included, we welcome your input. Please share it with us for consideration as we continue to update and improve these interfaith resources by emailing cix@calpoly.edu.
This calendar highlights key religious holidays and observances for supporting a campus environment that is inclusive for all. Please note that religious holidays based on lunar calendars, such as Islamic and Jewish observances, may vary by region. Similarly, Buddhist holiday practices can differ significantly across cultures.
We encourage department leaders and campus partners to download this calendar into Outlook to support event and program planning. For your convenience, we've also provided a downloadable list of the Religious Holidays and Observances 2026–27 used to generate this Interfaith Calendar.
Download the Interfaith Holiday Calendar to Import Into Your Outlook
- On the calendar tab of Outlook, select Add Calendar. If you do not see this option, toggle the sidebar using the icon with three horizontal lines.
- Select Upload from file (browser) or Import ICS (app) and select the calendar file.
- Select Add to calendar (browser) or Import (app). The calendar may take a few seconds to upload.
For detailed instructions on importing a calendar into Outlook, click here for guidance from Microsoft Support.
Dietary Accommodations
Many religious traditions include dietary practices that influence food choices, meal preparation, and eating schedules. Providing accommodations such as halal- or kosher-certified meals, vegetarian or vegan options, culturally appropriate food preparation, and adjusted mealtimes during fasting periods may help create a more inclusive experience for faith practitioners. While individual practices and preferences may vary, these guidelines can help support inclusive meal planning and ensure that participants' religious dietary needs are respected. Below is a list of common religious dietary accommodations in alphabetical order.
Fasting Observances
- Dietary Note: Periods where food and drink consumption is restricted or limited as part of a religious or spiritual observance. (e.g., Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Lent, Bahá'í Fast)
- Accommodations: Adjusting meal schedules, providing pre-dawn or post-sunset meals, and offering nutrient-dense options during non-fasting hours.
Hindu and Buddhist Dietary Practices
- Dietary Note: Dietary practices vary by region and tradition. Some individuals follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, while others avoid specific foods or certain animal products.
- Accommodations: Vegetarian and vegan options, avoidance of beef, and emphasis on plant-based meals.
Jewish Dietary Practices
- Dietary Note: Kosher dietary laws govern permitted foods, food preparation, the separation of certain foods, and ritual slaughter and processing requirements for meat.
- Accommodations: Kosher-certified food, separate preparation and serving of dairy and meat, and avoidance of non-kosher items.
Muslim Dietary Practices
- Dietary Note: Halal dietary guidelines govern permissible foods, food preparation, and the ritual slaughter of meat in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.
- Accommodations: Halal-certified meat, vegetarian options, and avoidance of alcohol or pork products in food preparation.
Sikh Dietary Customs
- Dietary Note: Some Sikhs follow a vegetarian diet, while others avoid ritually slaughtered meat, including halal.
- Accommodations: Vegetarian options, avoidance of beef, with halal meat options clearly labeled when provided.
Religious Accommodations
In accordance with the Campus Academic Policy on Class Attendance and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Cal Poly offers students, faculty and staff the opportunity to observe the holidays of their chosen faith.
For students, religious holidays are considered an excused absence. Faculty members should work collaboratively with students to identify reasonable solutions that ensure those who miss class for religious observances are not disadvantaged. When planning major assignments, faculty may find it helpful to refer to the Religious Holidays and Observances 2026–27 calendar list.
In any given year, some religious holidays observed by our students may fall during the first week of classes. Faculty, lecturers, and instructors may receive requests from students notifying them of an absence for a religious observance. Please respond to these communications as early as possible, ideally before the semester begins or during the first week of classes, so students know they will not be dropped from a course due to an absence for a religious holiday.
For faculty and staff, supervisors should make reasonable accommodations for religious observances. Requests may be approved through a schedule adjustment, as vacation, or as a personal holiday. If you need a religious holiday or faith-based accommodation, please see additional information below:
For Students (Solano)
- Accessible and Disability Resource Support (ADSO): The Accessible and Disability Resource Support Office (ADSO) fosters an accessible and inclusive Cal Poly community by ensuring students with permanent and temporary disabilities have equal access to all aspects of campus life. Cal Poly's Interfaith & Spiritual Life office provides guidelines on Holy Days & Holiday Observances to assist with planning.
- Approvals: Students are encouraged to connect with ADSO as early as possible to discuss disability related needs, register for services, and access approved accommodations through partnerships with faculty and staff.
For Employees (Solano)
- Employee Accommodations: Employees who need workplace accommodations are encouraged to contact Human Resources as early as possible to discuss their needs, submit a Request for Disability Accommodation, and work collaboratively to identify effective accommodations that support the essential functions of their position.
- Approval: Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and are implemented in consultation with the employee and relevant department administrators.
For Students (SLO)
- Academic Accommodations: If you need to miss class or exams for religious holidays, you are expected to notify your professors in advance (usually at least one week). Cal Poly's Interfaith & Spiritual Life office provides guidelines on Holy Days & Holiday Observances to assist with planning.
- Finals Week Conflicts: If a religious holiday conflicts with finals week, you may be able to arrange an early morning or alternate exam time. Please see ASI's Resolution to Support Academic Accommodations for Religious Holidays.
- Housing: If you require specific housing accommodations due to religious beliefs (such as location or dietary requirements), you can work with University Housing and the Disability Resource Center to request adjustments. Please see the following University Housing FAQs.
- Meditation Room: A room for meditation is available on the third floor (Room 311) of the Robert E. Kennedy Library.
For Employees (SLO)
- Workplace Accommodations: Staff and faculty seeking accommodations (such as flexible scheduling for prayer or time off for religious observances) should make requests directly to their supervisor or the Office of Equity and Compliance.
- Approval: Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis and are implemented in consultation with the employee and relevant department administrators.
We Welcome Your Feedback
While we have carefully reviewed information from peer institutions and other higher education resources, we recognize that no resource can capture every tradition or observance. We value the knowledge and expertise of our campus community and welcome your feedback as we continue to update and improve these resources. If you would like to suggest additions or edits to this calendar or resource page, please email us at cix@calpoly.edu.
